Shades of Difference: Why Skin Color Matters

Evelyn Nakano Glenn (Ed.)

ISBN 10: 0804759995 / ISBN 13: 9780804759991

Published by Stanford University Press, 2009

About this Item

2009. Paperback. Addresses the phenomenon of colorism - the preference for lighter skin and the ranking of individual worth according to skin tone. Examining the social and cultural significance of skin color in a range of societies and periods, this work looks at how skin color affects people's opportunities in Latin America, Asia, Africa and North America. Editor(s): Glenn, Evelyn Nakano. Num Pages: 312 pages, 11 tables, 15 figures, 16 illustrations. BIC Classification: JFSJ; JFSL. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 154 x 228 x 19. Weight in Grams: 418. . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780804759991

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Shades of Difference: Why Skin Color Matters
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0804759995
• ISBN 13: 9780804759991
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Shades of Difference addresses the widespread but little studied phenomenon of colorism―the preference for lighter skin and the ranking of individual worth according to skin tone. Examining the social and cultural significance of skin color in a broad range of societies and historical periods, this insightful collection looks at how skin color affects people's opportunities in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and North America.

Is skin color bias distinct from racial bias? How does skin color preference relate to gender, given the association of lightness with desirability and beauty in women? The authors of this volume explore these and other questions as they take a closer look at the role Western-dominated culture and media have played in disseminating the ideal of light skin globally. With its comparative, international focus, this enlightening book will provide innovative insights and expand the dialogue around race and gender in the social sciences, ethnic studies, African American studies, and gender and women's studies.

About the Author

Evelyn Nakano Glenn is Professor of Ethnic Studies and Gender and Women's Studies and Founding Director of the Center for Race and Gender at the University of California, Berkeley. She currently holds the position of president-elect of the American Sociological Association and will assume the presidency of the association in 2009.